"Anyone seen the Movie "Red Cliff" " Topic

I have the film (DVD) but it is in Korean. Seems it is based around the Han dynasty in the years around 680 or so. Anyone seen this in English?
VR
James Mattes

Big pricy epic but not the the best I have seen. The uniforms are authentic and the battle scenes impressive. But he film on the whole is very fragmented and may be confusing for folks unfamiliar with the entire story based on the novel.

I have the 2 DVDs. They are in Mandarin but subtitled. I don't know of an English version. I wouldn't want to see the edited version where both movies are shoved into one.

It is good stuff. Sweeping historical drama with big sets and huge armies. The action is impressive in parts but pretty silly in others – one hero equals at least a battalion of spearmen. But it is fun.

These films came out in Mandarin here in Malaysia. Part 1 late last year, then Part 2 during Chinese New Year. The visuals are epic but John Woo is just taking the major highlights of the Three Kingdoms novel and adding his own embellishments. His interpretation may not be for everyone, especially the typical Woo melodrama he adds at the end with the hostage-taking and dramatic standoff.

There are some really pretty non-battle sequences, too. But this is going to be as definitive a big screen version of the Red Cliff battle as, say, Peter Jackson's films will be for The Lord of the Rings in Western culture.

I've only seen the 2 DVD versions. The film covers literally maybe two or three chapters in the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". The four hour version, RC1 and RC2, is incredibly long, I'm going to see the 2 hour cut as I think it would be a far better film. There's too much of your typical HK historical melodrama that serves no narrative purpose and is just padding.

For those who've seen it, think about the scene where that chick tells her husband she's gone to Cao Cao's camp, and that she's pregnant. I mean c'mon! How long do you need to take to show an audience her telling her hubby she's pregnant!!

The battles in RC1 are a bit ho hum, the major battle in RC2 requires a new definition of the term "awesome", it blew this jaded film goer out of the water (just like in the film). Worth seeing just for this, it really is up there with the Battle of Pelenor fields in terms of scope and originality.

There's also some surprisingly heart felt moments too, I can't remember the character's name but the Princess who is in disguise in the enemy camp – her relationship with Pit, and how that plays out was quite touching.

[For those who've seen it, think about the scene where that chick tells her husband she's gone to Cao Cao's camp, and that she's pregnant. I mean c'mon! How long do you need to take to show an audience her telling her hubby she's pregnant!!]

Especially as she had been dropping hints for half the movie which the husband just wouldn't get. I got the 'Why do you think I've been writing an1 ping2 over and over?' reference. I knew it wasn't just a plea for peace. And her husband is supposedly a super genius judging by his other actions.

You're right that the RC1 battles are a bit underwhelming. All that massive and pointless maneuvering in order to defeat an outnumbered scouting cavalry force.

The naval battle in RC2 is spectacular though.

And yes, the Piggy / Pit relationship is touching. And I think he is the only commoner in the story who becomes a 'real' character.

The movies were based on Sānguó Zhì (Records of Three Kingdoms) which is the official history of the periord. They were NOT based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

I wish someone would make a fig for either Guan Yu or Zhao Yun.

see previous discussion on Red Cliff for figure links re Guan Yu and Zhao Yun based on movie

TMP link

My DVDs have english subtitles. I admit they are hard to find since everything on the DVD menu is in Chinese but they are there.

I got mine in SF Chinatown for $6.00 USD each.

That's what the 'subtitles' button on the remote is for. Start the movie and hit the subtitles button until you get something you can read.

"Especially as she had been dropping hints for half the movie which the husband just wouldn't get. I got the 'Why do you think I've been writing an1 ping2 over and over?' reference. I knew it wasn't just a plea for peace. And her husband is supposedly a super genius judging by his other actions."

She isn't all that pretty either. I was expecting Cao Cao to finally see her in the flesh and say "hmmm, not sure if this willowy tart was worth it, but hey she made me tea!"

I actually felt Cao Cao was one of the better characters in the film, even his more padding like moments – when he recites that poem during the banquet in RC2 – was quite effective dramatically. A film solely from Cao Cao's perspective would be very good.

Re watched the final battle last night, the scene with the crews ramming their boats into the others and leaping on board strapped with crude explosives was damn good.

Yes I must watch it again soon. I will keep the subtitles off and try to pick up what I can.

I can actually get most of the words, but everyone shuo tai kuai yin wei wo dong!

I watched the previous week. Very good film.

If this is the same film… it looks like it is being released here in the US soon…

link

Special edition is in shops (& regular version)

If this is the same film… it looks like it is being released here in the US soon…

Yep, to be released for VOD on October 22, and in theaters on November 20: redclifffilm.com